Drum News

Hosted by Riverside High School BandsAward-winning percussionists and area colleges to lend time & talents

Registration efforts are now underway for Perc Up! 2013, a unique percussion event hosted at Riverside High School in Greer, South Carolina, which combines percussion clinics, workshops, leadership training, percussion demonstrations and The Percussion Showcase Concert. Perc Up will take place on April 13, 2013 beginning with Percussion Clinics at 10 am – 5 pm and ending with The Percussion Showcase Concert at 7 pm.

"Perc Up!" will feature well-known percussion clinicians, including world renowned drummer Gregg Bissonette. Gregg has become known as one of the most versatile drummers in the business, his broad experience ranging from big band, blues, and rock, to Latin, fusion, and much more. He has played with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Ringo Starr, Santana, James Taylor, David Lee Roth, Toto, Linda Ronstadt, Andrea Bocelli, Brian Wilson, Smash Mouth, the Doobie Brothers, Barry Manilow, Ozzy Osbourne, the Brian Setzer Band, Enrique Iglesias, and the world’s loudest band, Spinal Tap. He has played on scores for TV (Friends and 10 Years) and film, including Best in Show, The Devil Wears Prada, The Bucket List, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Enchanted, Finding Nemo, The Mighty Wind and many others. Gregg has played live on American Idol as well as on the Academy Award-winning song “Man or Muppet” from the major motion picture The Muppets. He also played on the album Santana Supernatural, which won 11 Grammys, and Live in Osaka with Larry Carlton and Steve Lukather, which won a Grammy for best pop instrumental.

During 2003 and 2005, Gregg had the “honor and thrill” of performing with Ringo Starr in promotional tours for the albums Ringo Rama and Choose Love. In 2008, Gregg joined his drumming hero in Ringo’s All Starr Band, performing all across the United States as well as Europe and South America. In July 2010, Gregg was part of Ringo’s 70th birthday celebration including a surprise appearance by Paul McCartney. Also appearing is Thom Hannum, an original design team member and creator of the Tony and Emmy award winning hit Broadway smash Blast! Thom Hannum has long been regarded as one of the nation’s foremost percussion arrangers, instructors, and clinicians; having presented numerous seminars and workshops throughout the world. He is best known for his work with the DCI World Champion Cadets of Bergen County and Star of Indiana. In the summer of 2001, Mr. Hannum was selected for induction into the DCI Hall of Fame.Thom is the current percussion program director for Carolina Crown Drum Corps. When The Bands of America Honors Band marched in the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day, the percussion section was under the watchful eye of Thom Hannum, who wrote their music and prepped them for the national spotlight. There were 1.25 million people along the parade route.

Perc Up will also feature Jesse Willis. Jesse has worked with several DCI World Class Finalist drum corps, including the Blue Knights, Blue Stars, Madison Scouts, and Carolina Crown. He has also worked with several championship high school and college marching bands across the country, including Center Grove High School, Northview High School and the Texas Tech University Drumline.

Also appearing is Coastal Carolina University World Percussion Ensemble, CalypSamba, motivational percussionist Jim Irish, world percussion expert Jason Currin, Woodland D.R.U.M., Legacy World Percussion Ensemble, and the award winning Riverside Drumline. A special invited guest, the TL Hanna Indoor Drumline will participate and perform their award winning show “Sleep Walking.”

According to event planners, Perc Up offers outstanding music educational opportunities by featuring some of the world’s best drumming and percussion experts. Perc Up is a percussion music education advocate helping students, band directors, and music programs with top quality instruction, funding, and overall music education improvement. Perc Up aims to motivate and inspire students, while teaching excellence and creating a passion for higher levels of achievement. Perc Up also serves to bring awareness of the value of arts programs.

Registration is open to anyone. Drumming enthusiasts may register for an all day pass which includes drum clinics, educational material, and a ticket to the Percussion Showcase. Showcase concert tickets may be purchased online and at the door.

Sponsorship opportunities are available.

To learn more about Perc Up! 2013 or how you can become involved as a participant or volunteer of your time, talents or funding, visit www.PercUp.org.